The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-03

In the Council lobby, last night. natural-gas
pipelines were discussed in all their bearings on
the interests and future of the city, while
tedious of routine business was being
cleared from the calendar. Every local pros
pecting company had its representatives, and
the two corporations that have been forward in
their efforts to secure the of the streets and
alleys for pipes and mains were active through
their agents in testing popuiar opinion. Out
side Of these connections the citizens were rep
resented only by those who usually attend the
Council meetings. Councimen themselves were
anxious to reach the topic of interest, al
though it is safe TO say that three
OF them had like opinions as to how
far the city should so in granting the
franchises sought. All of them found
security in the general expression of non-com-
INITIAL views, with a reserving clause that they
favored permitting ell companies that desired to
do so to bring gas into the city. This was the
situation when the regular order of reports was
taken up The first of significance was that of
Treasurer Miller, who showed that he, after pay
ing 1872 122 16 in warrants during April, had to
the credit of the city, on the Both of that month,
a balance of $3.50, 246.
City Attorney Taylor submitted opinion in
relation to the legality Of special ordinance
and lockwood streets. 1t had been passed by
majority vote, but the attorney held that the
passage OF ordinance of that kind could not
be legally passed without a two-thirds vote.
The same officer also held that the Council
has no power to create and enforce an ordinance
compelling residents to sprinkle the streets in
front OF their property, and pay pro ratio per
front foot whore d majority petitions for such
sprinkling. The only way in which the streets
can he sprinkled oy the city under the law and
ordinances now in force would be to pay for it
out of the public revenues. He had prepared
bill for the last legislature giving the city power
TO compel property holders to sprinkle the
streets 1t also created lien for the payment
of this work property, as prevails in regard to
street Improvements, but the legislative dead
lock prevented the passage of such a measure.
City Civil Engineer Shearer reported the bids
tina had been received for improving the Illi-
noisstrcet tunnel In each instance the amount
appropriated for this purpose was exceeded by
the bidders hence awards were made In
closing his report, the engineer stated that ''on
inquiring of the bidders to the cause of the
extraordinarily high bidding. they were prac-
tically unanimous in saying that il was owing to
their inability to obtain from Mr.. Doran.
gneer of the Indianapolis Union Railway Com
pany, any definite idea TO what he,
under the provisions of the specifications,
would require for the supporting of the several
tracks of the Union Railway Company. And |
to the tracks said street he would have |
seven more for the tunnel to support by the |
time the tunnel was ready to be improved. AS |
to whether or not Mr. Doran made the state
ment above referred to l do not know, but
to the bidders having so informed me. the May |
or, city attorney and Councilman Haush who |
were present can testify. 1t is, however. due 10
Mr.. Doran to say that he has since denied to me |
the statements made by the bidders"
Mr.. Dorain wanted the privilege of the floor |
to reply to this statement Councilman Swain |
suggested that ne ought to go before the commit |
tee having charge of the matter, but the gentle |
man. on the assurance that he would be brief |
was heard in denial of what the bidders had |
said He resented the charge that he had with
held information sought to mislead the bid !
ders. The work could be done for $4,000 ard
probably for less II the bidding was made open
and home contractors had opportunity to
make proposals he was sure that the improve
ment could be made within the appropriation.
The Union Railway Company desired to have the
work pushed to completion. and IL was not only
false but absurd to charge him with misleading
the bidders He asked that men outside of the
ring be given chance to bid.
II. Q. Adams, one of the bidders. claimed
to reply. His bid was made in good
faith and upon the best information he could OBJ
tain from Mr.. Doran. He asked the Union
Railway Company's engineer what he thought
would be required for the support of the tracks.
He said bridge timber fifty feet long and 12xl6
inches would be sufficient, or If not that pieces
corded together would answer. When the
question of sufficiency was repeated, Mr.. Doran
declined to commit himself. Mr.. Doran
suddenly referred to the committee railroads
and the city engineer, with instructions to OBJ
tain from Mr.. Doran all necessary information
In regard TO the supports for the tracks and then
readvertise for proposals.
Councilman Cummings precipitated the
natural gas question by presenting the following
resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sense Of this Council that
lnasfnuch nature has placed within reach of the
city of Indianapolis fuel which be obtained at
except the cost of conducting it into her
homes and factories that it would be unwise and
Just to give to any corporation or cqrpGratons the
for the benefit of the people.
Resolved That it is the belief of this body that if
the citizens of INDIANAPOLIS would advance a sum
equivalent TO one-haf of the amount annually paid
BY them for fuel, that fund could be raised that
would be sufficient to obtain supply of natural
hat would give free fuel to tine entire city.
Therefore Be it further resolved that the business
men and all other citizens be given opportunity to
ecure these benefits for themselves before grant
hem to others and to that end unite in calling
nassmeeng of citizens TO be held in Tomlinson Hall
IN Friday. May g. at 7:30 NJ. discuss the FEAST
'ility and proprety of securing free fuel for ALL
There was prompt evidence of desire to get
i'd OF this document but its author made a
ght effort to save it, He frankly asserted that
hat he knew nothing of the natural gas bust
ness. but, il it was good thing for corporations,
IS ought to be for the city.
Councilman Swain moved that the resolution
oy referred to some committee that NAV be
hereafter appointed. Councilman ThAlman pro-
posed that the Mayor and city civil Engineer be
Two of special committee of five to be appoint
ID by the Mayor, to which all ordinances relat-
ng TO this matter be referred. Councilman
: vain had n motion to offer, but Councilman
rhalman withdrew his, which led Councilman
; VAIN 10 do likewise. The Cummings resolution
was then referred under the first motion made |
1y Councilman Swain.
Council then returned to the call for resolu-
ions and ordinances, when Councilman Herig
Introduced n general ordinance providing for the
of a sewer on RAY street. He tried
10 have the rules suspended and the ordinance
put upon its passage, but this failed after
onged discussion, in which Councilman Rocker
.ame forward with earnest appeal for the
Improvement
Natural gas again appeared IN a resolution of
erred by Councilman Pearson, providing that all
ordinances relating to natural gas be referred to
special committee of five. to which snail be